Three classes back to back today all leaving the library with a biography or autobiography for their project. They had a ditto they needed to fill out to turn into their teacher that included some information about the title and the Lexile level. Did a short talk with two classes on searching the catalog, how to look for their Lexile level of their chosen title and other ways they can search the catalog to find a biography or autobiography to fit their needs.
Each time this assignment is given at every school I have worked the student choice is super varied. You have the regular rotations of Walt Disney, Anne Frank and Albert Einstein but more recently Steve Jobs and David Bowie since his passing plus the resurgence of a few kids asking about Jane Austen and other female authors. It is always interesting to see what they gravitate towards.
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| 921 is the place to be today. |
The thing I love is when the kids are open and ask for suggestions. Generally I do a little chat about what they are interested in and can sort of gauge what they might like. They want options and then generally will choose from the smaller pile. You end up getting the kids interested in someone they would have never picked - someone like James Dean or Marilyn Monroe. Maybe 10 years ago these two would have been chosen first up but they aren't really in heavy rotation. Either way this gives you a chance to see the collection more clearly and see which publishers and titles have timelines, photographs or other little tidbits that engage the kids. The most important is the one on one interaction with the kids and to be helpful and kind. This keeps them coming back to the library.
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| Some of the choices. |
Today was my last official day at the Laguna Middle School Library as an intern. I will still be coming in once a week after spring break on my own to work on a Lexile project and whatever else Ms. Schwoerer needs. I was there before the internship and will be there after. I was lucky to get such a great school site.
Ms. Meyers, We were so lucky to have you join us at Laguna Library for your internship. Thank you for your commitment to our students and information literacy as we continue to develop lifelong learners. The biography project is progressing for all of our English classes and I was invited once again to pop in to review the Biography in Context, Gale database. Kids are getting it! That the databases are a great resource when searching for credible information for school projects. Hopefully, this will carry forward throughout their school careers. Thank you. Sincerely, Laura Schwoerer
ReplyDeleteAwesome! When I get back from Spring Break I am excited to come back and work on the Lexile project! I miss the kids and thanks so much - they don't realize how important this all is. High School is no joke! I can't wait to see the outcome of this years projects.
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